advice to be more competitive for phd pol scie admission

[adam.123]

I am interested in getting phd political science.

I would like to know what i can do to make myself (competitive) besides gre to get admited to phd program political sceience.

my undergrad was in business, I have BS in Business Admin-Management concentration. 3.45 gpa cumulative and 3.7 business major gpa.

questions,

1. I think MA political science might not required for admission. would you recommed getting MA in political science? would it help with admission to phd if i get ma in political science. i will not care where i get admitted as, lower tier is fine. sould i get MA first. then apply for phd.

2.I think phd is heavy quant math statistic. i have not taken any advance math. only took what was required for business major. would you think this will hurt me apply to phd political science. what would you recommed.

if i am lacking math class, i can always take it while doing masters.

Any other advice, suggesiton is highly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

[APGradApplicant]

1) It is not required and many PhD programs include a built-in Masters. An MA can help strengthen your application if you have a low GPA or are worried that your letters will not be sufficiently strong (either in source or content). If you are concerned that one of these issues might hurt your application chances, consider applying to respected MA "feeder" programs as well as PhD programs.

2) Adcomms will like seeing math ability. I would think that a robust business statistics course would be sufficient, I'm not sure. Taking a methodology class would be helpful in a lot of ways; it would solidify your quant credentials and give you a better sense of how you will be expected to ask and answer political questions in your PhD program. I have also heard that undergrad calculus is encouraged but not required. A high math GRE score would also help.

[GopherGrad]

I think you should apply to both. On the chance you get into a PhD program you like right away it will save you $50K.

[adam.123]

Thanks! Do you think I have a chance at even lower tier? Are you phd program?

[GopherGrad]

I am not in a PhD program and have little qualification to give you advice that narrows your focus, which is why I suggest keeping your options open. I am simply an applicant for this round of admissions and have done some thinking on the questions you are raising because I have a similar GPA.

With respect to where you might get in, it's important to recognize that your GPA is below average for any top tier program and may even raise eyebrows at the best. But common wisdom suggests that a 3.middle GPA from a decent school combined with a great GRE, solid letters from respected faculty and an excellent statement of purpose can get a person into even the best schools.

Keep the GPA shortcoming in mind, it is serious. But you should take a look at your goals from pursuing the degree, identify schools with a good fit and pitch yourself to all of them. If a PhD is really your dream and you are not accepted to any programs that will aid in reaching your goals, you will need to improve your profile somehow. An MA is one option; researching with a respected professor to get a stronger letter or re-dedicating yourself to getting rocking GREs are others. This process offers little by the way of guarantees.